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Reel Cleveland: Road to the Red Carpet

And more local film news

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission hosts the second annual Road to the Red Carpet Oscar party at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at Pickwick and Frolic (2035 E. 4th St., 216.241.7425, pickwickandfrolic.com). Guests will walk down a red carpet and be able to participate in an auction that includes items like autographed mini-posters from Oscar-nominated films Inglourious Basterds, Precious and Up in the Air. Additional memorabilia includes a guitar signed by Crazy Heart star Jeff Bridges; an autographed Welcome to Collinwood script; a framed, autographed Gone With the Wind poster, a guitar signed by Will Smith and P. Diddy; and a chance to be an extra on HBO's Entourage. The Academy Award presentations will show on a big screen, and the affair will also feature "Hollywood-inspired dishes." A fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the black-tie event will set you back $150 or $250 for VIP tickets — and sponsorship tickets cost $2500-$15,000). Find more info at roadtotheredcarpet.com.

In case you can't afford tickets to the Road to the Red Carpet gala, local indie filmmaker and screenwriter Liz Copic has organized what she calls "An Oscar Party That Independent Filmmakers Can Afford." Her red-carpet party is slated to take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at the SS & W Boardwalk Restaurant (16011 Waterloo Rd., 216.481.0077.) It will include an Oscar-winners ballot raffle, a "Chinese Raffle" and drink specials (Jell-O shots for a buck! Many different colors to choose from!). Also, you can vote for the best-dressed male and female star. Formal dress is "encouraged but not required." Tickets: $10.

The 34th Cleveland International Film Festival opens March 18 and runs through March 28. You can get a sampling of this year's films at the Official Akron Preview Party, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at the Akron Civic Theatre (182 S. Main St., 330.535.3179, akroncivic.com). There will be free food, prizes and live music. RSVP online at wksu.org or by calling 330.672.3114.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts is accepting short films and videos (no more than 30 minutes long) for its 4th Annual Who's Your Mama? International Environmental Film Film Festival Friday, April 23, at the Kent Stage. Interested filmmakers should go to whosyourmama.org for more information. Deadline is March 27.